Ranking the Top 2012 NFL Free Agents by Teams Who Should Be Interested

The 2012 free agent class is a solid group. From dynamic running backs like Ray Rice to premier pass-rushers like Robert Mathis, the guys at the top who are potentially up for grabs are game-changers.

While some teams may be gun shy about stockpiling high-profile free agents next year (due to the train wreck that the Philadelphia Eagles' season has become) teams in need of a boost will find a deep pool from which to draw this off-season.

Let's take a quick tour of the top 2012 free agents and the teams that may be interested in them.

I'm not including restricted free agents like Arian Foster and Mike Wallace in this list. Only unrestricted free agents will appear here.

1. Drew Brees (Miami Dolphins)

Brees is the quarterback who got away for the Dolphins. After the 2005 season, the Dolphins were looking for a new starting QB. They had their choice between Daunte Culpepper and Brees, who was coming off an injury suffered when he was with the San Diego Chargers.

As we all know, the Dolphins went with Culpepper and the Saints signed Brees.

Although there is very little chance that the Saints won't re-sign Brees, I have to think that the quarterback-starved Dolphins would love to have Brees guiding their offense. He slings the ball with authority, has fantastic pocket-presence and his leadership ability is unquestioned.

Matt Moore and Chad Henne are not the future for the Dolphins. They need quarterback help and it's likely that they'll snag one in the draft since they can't have the one who got away.

2. Ray Rice (Washington Redskins)

Rice is an all-around threat for the Baltimore Ravens' offense. He has great hands and runs the rock with authority.

The perennial free agent-plumbing Redskins would likely leap at the chance to secure Rice's services for 2012. He's the kind of running back that Mike Shanahan would love to have to spark his offense.

The Ravens may not want to pony up the kind of money that Rice will command, and if so, Dan Snyder will be waiting for him. I do think that ultimately GM Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh will do what they can to keep their best weapon, but the Redskins must surely crave Rice's skills.

3. Carl Nicks (Indianapolis Colts)

Possibly the best left guard in the league, Carl Nicks is a young and incredibly powerful offensive lineman. Although infamous for his comments about Disneyland after the Saints' Super Bowl victory in 2009, he should be better known for plowing holes for running backs and for keeping Drew Brees clean.

The Indianapolis Colts paper-thin roster has been cast in sharp relief during their current run of futility. Whether it's Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning under center next year, the Colts desperately need better players on their offensive line to protect their quarterback.

Before he was injured, rookie left tackle Anthony Castonzo looked like the real deal. Center Jeff Saturday is solid, but aging. After those two, the Colts offensive line is patchwork at best.

Due to Nicks' youth (he's only 27) the Saints would be wise to try to hang on to him. If they can't, the Colts need to dip into free agency to pluck a solid lineman from the pool. 

4. Robert Mathis (Buffalo Bills)

The Buffalo Bills are currently tied for 27th in league in sacks for 2011. With only 15 total, the Bills defense would improve greatly if they had a premier pass-rusher.

Robert Mathis has the drive, leverage and speed to frustrate opposing teams' offensive linemen. The Bills offense has shown that it can put up points, but their defense hasn't been nearly as efficient.

It's likely that the Colts won't be able to keep both star receiver Reggie Wayne and Mathis this off-season. They don't have much wiggle room under their cap, with a number of high-profile veterans taking up space. The Colts have a long history of letting defensive players walk (Clint Session, David Thornton and Mike Peterson, as examples) in favor of retaining big-name offensive play-makers. I expect Wayne to remain and Mathis to hit the road.

Adding Mathis would be a boon for the under-performing Bills' defense.   

5. Matt Forte (Cleveland Browns)

With Peyton Hillis a question mark after an injury-riddled 2011 campaign, the Cleveland Browns may be in the market for a new running back.

As of yet, the Chicago Bears haven't paid Matt Forte. They would be foolish not to. Right now he is one of the most dynamic running backs in the league. His receiving skills are excellent and his cutting ability is fantastic. He is the heart of the Bears' offense. When the Bears have him rolling, they are hard to beat.

The Browns would love to poach a tough-running, pass-catching back like Forte. Hillis is a nice back between the tackles, but Forte would bring another dimension to their running game.

6. Jermichael Finley (Denver Broncos)

The big, soft-handed Finley would be an amazing addition to any team. He is totally simpatico with All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers right now, but his skills stand up even without Rodgers slinging him the ball.

If the Packers can't pay him, a team like the Denver Broncos would love to add a tight end of his caliber. Daniel Fells is a decent tight end for the Broncos, but he's not nearly as physical and effective as Finley can be.

If Tim Tebow remains the quarterback for the Broncos, he'll need to have more reliable targets in the middle of the field to be effective running the read-option offense. If the Tebow experiment goes south and the Broncos end up finding a more prototypical starting QB, that guy will appreciate having Finley to chuck the rock to.

7. Mario Williams (Tampa Bay)

Although Mario Williams is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, before his injury, he was on pace for a spectacular season.

Williams played defensive end in his first few years in the league. This year Houston Texans' defensive coordinator Wade Phillips moved him to outside linebacker, where he excelled in the few games he played in this year.

It seems that no matter what position Williams plays, he dominates opposing teams' offensive linemen. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense desperately needs to improve its pressure on the quarterback.

They rank 31st in the league in sacks right now. Because they don't get good pressure, their secondary often suffers.

The Texans will probably retain Williams' services next year, especially since they seem to have a solid team that seems poised to push for the playoffs in the coming seasons. If they deem him expendable, however, a team like Tampa Bay should certainly pick him up.

8. DeSean Jackson (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Although DeSean Jackson's recent deactivation and sub-par play puts a dint into Jackson's reputation, he can still be a game-changing play-maker when he's at his best.

Jackson is an incredible talent who gets separation from cornerbacks through his blistering speed and quick cuts. Although diminutive for an NFL receiver, he uses his athleticism and quickness to his advantage. 

The Jaguars are a team that is desperately short on talented pass-catchers. They are dead last in receiving yards in the NFL this year. Their young quarterback Blaine Gabbert needs help. Jackson could be just the kind of guy who could make their offense effective again.

Ben Grubbs (Arizona Cardinals)

The Baltimore Ravens' guard Ben Grubbs is a highly effective blocker who has plenty of years left in his career. He missed much of the early part of the season with an injury, but he hasn't missed a beat now that he's back to protecting Joe Flacco.

A team like the Cardinals, who have spotty protection from their guards right now, would love to secure Grubbs' services. Recent addition at left guard (Daryn Colledge) may not be a long-term solution for Arizona.

Having a rock-solid guy like Grubbs to pair with Lyle Sendlein and Brandon Keith would shore up their line for whoever ends up throwing the ball for the Cardinals in the coming years.

10. Cortland Finnegan (New England Patriots)

Fiery and controversial, Cortland Finnegan's persona sometimes obscures the fact that he's an excellent cover corner for the Tennessee Titans. He is physical when he needs to be and has the size to compete with receivers for the ball.

The New England Patriots are known for taking on talented players who have been problem-children in the past (Corey Dillon and Randy Moss as examples). With a patchwork secondary, the Patriots could use a tough cornerback like Finnegan.

If the Titans are ready to part with him, the Patriots would be wise to get him on board. It's unlikely that he'd fail as egregiously as Albert Haynesworth did this season.